The Coal City High School Athletic Department held its first annual Senior Sports Banquet on Sunday, May 5. The event served to recognize senior athletes for their contributions to the program and honor select members of the class of 2024 for outstanding achievements in their various athletic endeavors.
Jim Feeney—Male Athlete of the Year
Makayla Henline—Female Athlete of the Year
Recipients of the Athlete of the Year Awards were nominated by the high school coaching staff and both are three sport athletes. Jim Feeney was selected as the Male Athlete of the Year. He played football, basketball and baseball for the Coalers. Female Athlete of the Year Makayla Henline has been part of the volleyball, basketball and softball teams at CCHS. Both will be playing collegiate athletics, Henline in softball at Rock Valley College and Feeney will be a part of the St. Norbert College football team.
Abby Stiles—Career Achievement Award
Buddy Widlowski—Career Achievement Award
Abby Stiles had great success as a student-athlete at Coal City High School. She played tennis, basketball and volleyball for the Coalers the past four years. As an athlete she found the greatest success on the court as a member of the Coaler Tennis Team advancing to the State Tournament three consecutive years and for this and her other contributions to the athletic program she was recognized with the Career Achievement Award.
Buddy Widlowski earned his 100th varsity career win in wrestling his senior year, he also qualified for another IHSA Individual State Wrestling Tournament appearance. His a multiple state qualifier in wrestling at both the individual and team level, earning a championship medal with his teammates in 2023. He is also a state qualifier in bass fishing and finished in the top 15 at last year’s tournament. He will once again be in the boat for the Coalers at the 2024 state fishing finals. Buddy also has played football for the Coalers. For his many years of dedication to the athletic department and his success he was awarded the Career Achievement Award.
Tanna Curry—Female Teammate of the Year
Joe Watson—Male Teammate of the Year
Nominated by their peers, Tanna Curry and Joe Watson were named Teammates of the Year. “One of the best compliments you can get as a member of any team, whether it be on the high school level or the next level is being a great teammate,” Assistant Athletic Director Brad Boresi said. Curry was a member of the golf and basketball teams and Watson played football and baseball for the Coalers.
Ethan Scrogham, Colten Sztapka, Keaton Stroner, Jared Counterman, Adaline Dowling and Kevin McConnell—Coaler Pride Award
The recipients of this year’s Coaler Pride Award are all senior members of the track and field team who, in the words of Assistant Athletic Director Brad Boresi said, “display what our school represents at all times.” These student athletes, “took the high road, respected decisions and are model athletes for our school.” Due to construction within the stadium, this year’s track and field season resulted in no home meets, not the way the seniors wanted it to go, but as Boresi said they handled it professionally and therefore they are most deserving of the Coaler Pride Award.
Abby Stiles—Academic Athlete of the Year
Abby Stiles is the salutatorian of her class and completes her studies at CCHS with a 4.558 grade point average. She has earned recognition as an Illinois State Scholar and Acclaimed Coaler. She will continue her education at Indiana Wesleyan University to study finance and actuarial science.
Mark Masters—Coach of the Year
Mark Masters is a Hall of Fame Coach who has led the Coaler Wrestling Team to multiple Dual Team State Final appearances over the years with the team being crowned State Champions in 2023 and Runners-Up in 2024. Masters has also coached dozens of wrestlers who have qualified for the Individual State Finals with several champions including 2024 champ Landin Benson.
Three Sport Career Athletes
Makayla Henline—volleyball, basketball and softball
Makenzie Henline—volleyball, basketball and softball
Colten Sztapka—football, basketball and track and field
Jim Feeney—football, basketball and baseball
The names of these students will be added to a plaque that hangs in the school’s events corridor.
All senior athletes in attendance were presented with a certificate noting each of the sports they participated in during their senior year.